Valley of Shadows
Valley of Shadows follows a man as he travels back to the landscape of his childhood, the Badlands of Alberta, Canada, a place characterised by layers – geological, historical and personal. The strange beauty and vulnerability of the Drumheller Valley converge with the nature of his queerness and the gentle toughness he has embraced to survive it. The film tugs at the heart of identity, resilience, and the enduring connection between a person and his birthplace.
A film by wzento productions. Produced by Fujiwara Dance Inventions and co-produced by lbs/sq” Performance
Shot on location in Treaty 6 Territory also known as the Red Deer and Rosebud River Valleys, Alberta, Canada.
We honour with gratitude, the original and ongoing caretakers of the lands we filmed on, home to the Treaty 6 Plains Cree and the Treaty 7 Blackfoot (Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ) Confederacy – (Sik Sika, North Piikani, Kanai and later T’suut’ina) Stoney and the Metis Nation (Mitchif piyii).
Performers
Production
Director, Director of Photography, Editor & Camera Operator: William Yong
Choreographer & Writer: Gerry Trentham
Choreographer & Dramaturg: Denise Fujiwara
Additional Cast: Aaron Krogman & Gabriel Schmidt
Colourist: Oliver Salathiel
Sound Designer and Supervisor: Robert Bertola
Sound Editors: Robert Bertola and Sean Hackl
Sound Re-recording Mixer: Bruce Fleming
First Assistant Camera & Camera Operator: Rachel Leung
Drone Camera Operator: Jordan Cutbill
Production Coordinator Mayumi Lashbrook
Awards
Tokyo International Cinema Awards 2024 – Best Cinematography
Cine Paris Film Festival 2024 – Best Cinematography
Rotterdam Independent Film Festival 2024 – Best Cinematography
Hong Kong Indie Film Festival 2024 – Best Cinematography in Short
Dublin International Film Awards 2025 – Best Cinematography
Reale Film Festival 2025 – Best Cinematography
Paris International Short Festival 2024 – Semi-Finalist
Additional Thanks
Rosebud Theatre Company and School, Paul F. Muir
Smoke Signal Media Inc., Jordan Cutbill
Arbour Guest House, Valerie Speer
East Coulee School Museum, Valerie Given
